Metal building structure



r133 28, 1936. c. B, STEWART ET AL zyflggggfifi METAL BUILDING STRUCTUREFiled June l5, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 [wen/tons.- q O Z7 ChadasBSt/ewartEwald/E. Johnson am April c. B. STEWART ET AL METAL BUILDINGS'IIERUCTURE Filed June 15, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventors.- Charles B.5mm

Patented Apr. 28, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Charles B. Stewartand Ewald E. Johnson, St. Charles, Ill.

Application June 15,1932, Serial No. 617,360 7 9 Claims. (01. 189-85)This invention relates generally to the construction of metal buildingsand more particularly to the wall structure of such buildings and to theprovision of a metallic sheathing to be attached to the walls of an oldbuilding to provide a new surface.

The invention has as its object the provision of a wall structure for ametal building which structure may be economically manufactured andquickly and conveniently assembled at the place of erection into aweather-tight construction.

More particularly, the object of the invention is to provide a structurecomprising a framework and metal plates having-means adapted tointerengage cooperating means on the framework, whereby the plates maybe quickly attached in a simple operation, and interfitting edges of acharacter permitting the attaching operation and joined in suchoperation to form weather-tight joints.

Other objects and advantages, such as particular joint constructions andthe like, will become apparent from the following detailed descriptiontaken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmental elevational view of the roof and side wall of ametal building embodying the features of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section, on an enlarged scale, taken along line 22of Fig. 1. Only the metal construction and not the entire wall is shown.

Fig. 3 is a View, on an enlarged scale, taken in the plane of line 3-3of Fig. 2 and showing one form of anchoring means.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the plate used in the roof of thebuilding.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a slightly different form of plateconstruction for use in the side walls of the building.

Figs. 6 and 7 are fragmentary views showing modified forms of plateanchoring means.

Fig. 8 is a detail view of the vertical joint of the side wall. It istaken along line 8-8 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a detail view of the end edge joint of the roof taken alongline 9-9 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is a detail view of the side edge joint of the roof plates. Itis taken along line Ill-4b of Fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is a detail sectional view taken along line I ll I of Fig. 10 atan end joint.

By way of illustration, the invention is shown in the drawings and willbe described hereinafter, as embodied in a wall structure of a newbuilding. Such a structure comprises a metallic framework of properlyarranged joists and studs herein. shown as I-beams l5 and a metalliccovering therefor in the form of plates l6 and ll, of any suitabledimensions, and corner members l8 attached to and supported by theframework. The plates and corner members and the framework carryinterengaging anchoring means whereby the plates may be removablysecured to the framework in a simple attaching operation.

As shown in Fig. 1, the plates [6 and H are rectangular and may beattached in vertical tiers, as in the side walls, or in staggeredrelationship, as'in the roof. If desired, any one of various wood orstone constructions may be simulated by forming ridges on the plates orby coating with enamel or the like. Herein the plates are shown ashaving ridges l9 pressed out of the metal to simulate siding andshingles.

The plates I6 and I! are preferably sheet metal of a gauge heavy enoughto provide the required strength yet capable of being worked by pressingor drawing, and may or may not be coated. Both the plates employed inthe roof and those employed in the side walls are bent upon themselvesalong one end edge (see Fig. 8) to form a bead 20 and then at rightangles to the plate to form a flange 2| in the nature of a tongue,projecting inwardly, that is, to the rear of the plate. The opposite endedge is formed with a depression 22, corresponding in depth to thethickness of the bead 2D, and terminating in a U-shaped portion 23providing an outwardly opening groove. Thus, when the plates are placedin end to end relationship, the bead and tongue on the one will interfitwith the depression and groove of the other to form a substantiallyweather-tight joint. The construction described enables the plates to bejoined by relative lateral movement or by movement in the plane of theplates parallel with the end edges.

' The upper and lower side edges of the plates [6, employed in theconstruction of the side walls, terminate in flanges 24 and 25respectively projecting inwardly and upwardly at an approximate angle of45 with the plane of the plate. These flanges are corrugated, the oneconversely to the other, so as again to form an interfitting,substantially weather-tightjoint when plates are placed in side to siderelationship. Like the end joints the flanges 24 and 25 are adapted tobe joined by approaching movement of the plates in the plane thereof.

, To form a weather-tight construction at the corners of a plate, theupper flange 24 extends at both sides so as to be substantially flushwith the end edge of the plate (see Fig. 3). The lower flange 25, at thegrooved end of the plate, is also flush with the end of the plate whileat the other end it terminates just short of the inwardly projectingtongue 21. The tongue or groove forming portions of the end joints inall instances extend to the flanges 24 and 25. When the plates areassembled the ends of the upper flange 24 will over-lap, the flangehaving an ofi-set at 26 for that purpose, and the ends of the lowerflange 25 will abut, thus forming a substantially weather-tight joint.

The corner members I8 are constructed the same as the plates I6 in allrespects except that they are angular to adapt them for use at thecorners of a building.

Characteristic of the construction of the end and side joints justdescribed as well as of the joints to be described hereafter is theformation of the joints whereby the plates at the joints lie in the sameplane. This facilitates joining of the plates and insures goodworkmanship in the assembly because the joints thus permit of easyinspection. For the same reason configurations pressed out of the plateto simulate wood or stone constructions should preferably not interferewith the joints but should be spaced therefrom as are the ridges 19.

As previously stated the joint formed between the ends of the plates isthe same for the plates ll of the roof as for the plates l 6 of the sidewall. The joint formed between the side edges of the plates I1 is,however, of a modified character to insure a construction even moreimpervious to the weather than that employed in the side walls. To formsuch a joint the lower edge of the plate is first bent upon itself andthen reversely bent in the nature of an 8 thus forming a bead 21 at theedge of the plate and a groove 28 between the intermediate portion 29and the reversely bent portion 30 of the S which groove thus opens inthe plane of the edge of the plate (see Figs. 4 and 10) To complete thejoint, the upper side edge of the plate terminates in a tongue 3| formedby an offset 32. The tongue 3| extends in a plane parallel with theplane of the plate and is thus adapted to be received in the groove 28and the plates joined by an approaching movement of the plates in theplane thereof just as the plates N5 of the side walls. The offset 32 islarge enough to compensate for the bead 21 on the lower edge of theplate so that the plates at the joint lie in the same plane. This isparticularly desirable in the roof construction because it eliminatesobstructions at the joint behind which water can lodge and seep throughthe joint.

Because of the staggered arrangement of the plates ll of the roof theintermediate portions of the upper and lower side edges must bespecially shaped to accommodate the end edge joints. To this end thereversely bent portion 30 of the lower side edge of the plate is drawnout at 33 (see Figs. 4, 10 and 11) and given the contour of the end edgejoint which may then be received in the groove 28 with the remainder ofthe upper side edge of an adjacent plate. By this construction the sameinterfltting joint is obtained at the end edge joint as at any otherportion of the side edge.

The upper side edge is likewise drawn out to accommodate the end edgejoint. Thus, the tongue 3| is depressed at 34 (see Figs. 4 and 9) alsoto assume the contour of the end edge joint and like the drawn outportion of the lower side edge encompasses the end joint when plates arejoined. In order that the tongue 3|, normally received in the groove 28,may project rearwardly at the depressed portion 34, to encompass the endjoint, the reversely bent portion 30 and preferably also theintermediate portion 29 of the lower side edge terminate short of theend joint (see Fig. 9) to permit the depressed portion of the tongue 3|to project out of the groove 28 and around the joint. In this mannerwhen the plates are assembled the adjacent plates overlap along theirside edges even at the end joints thereby insuring a weather-tightconstruction.

As previously stated, the plates are adapted to be attached to theframework in a simple operation by anchoring means designed withreference to the character of the joints so that the latter may beunited in attaching operation. In conformity with the construction ofthe joints, which are united by relative movement of the platessubstantially in the plane of and parallel with the end edge of theplates, the anchoring means are of a construction such that the platesare attached by an inward movement followed by a movement in the planeof the plates or by a combination of the two movements thus at allevents providing the movement necessary to join the plates.

The anchoring means for the plates comprise lugs or studs rigid with andprojecting from the 1 framework at spaced predetermined points andhanger members on the plates interengaging with the lugs or studs. Inthe preferred construction the lug or stud takes the form of a rivet 35secured in the I-beams comprising the framework with its head 36 spacedfrom the I-beam. The hanger member in turn is formed with a slot 31enabling the member to pass behind the head 36 of the rivet and thus beretained against lateral removal. The slot herein shown is of thekeyhole type having a circular portion larger than the head of the rivetand a linear portion narrower than the head. The hanger member generallytakes the form of a bracket 38 affixed to the back of the plates in anymanner, such as by welding, and having a portion 39 substantiallyparallel with the plane of the plate wherein the key-hole slot isformed. Each plate is provided with a bracket near each corner and therivets are spaced on the framework in accordance with the positions ofthe brackets 38.

The key-hole slot 31 is formed in the bracket 38 with its longitudinalaxis parallel with the end edge of the plate and with its circularportion below the linear portion. With the slots so positioned the plateis attached by alining the circular portions with the heads of therivets 35 then moving the plate inwardly so that the heads of the rivetsproject through the slots and then forcing the plate in a direction sothat the rivet will enter the linear portion of the slot 31. The inwardmovement of the plate will thus cause the end edges of the plate to joinwith the complementary edge of an adjacent, attached plate and themovement permitted by the linear portion of the slots 31, which movementis also permitted by the joined end edges as previously described, willcause the side edges to interfit and form the side edge joint. Careshould be exercised that the slots are long enough to insure that theside edges interfit properly.

In the plates [6 employed in the side wall the hanger member may beformed as an integral part of the plate. As shown in Fig. 5, theinwardly projecting flanges 24 and 25, forming the side edge joint, inturn have flanges 40 and 4| bent to lie in a plane substantiallyparallel with the plate. The flanges 40 and 4|, like the brackets 38,have key-hole slots formed therein for engagement with the rivets 35 onthe framework. In both the bracket and flange type of hanger member,that portion of the hanger member having the key-hole slot formedtherein lies fiat against the I-beam to which the plate is attached.

A modified form of anchoring means is disclosed in Figs. 6 and '7, inwhich the rivets 35 of the preferred construction are replaced bycrimped clips 42 struck out of the I-beam and the slot in the hangermembers is correspondingly varied to cooperate with the clips. The clips42 may be struck out from the body of the I-beam, as shown in Fig. 6, orcut from the edge of the beam in the nature of a burr, as shown in Fig.'7. Before attachment of the plates the clips 42 are substantiallystraight and project upwardly and outwardly with respect to the beam.

The hanger members are of a construction substantially the same asdescribed above with the key-hole slot 3'! replaced by any ordinary slot43, here shown as rectangular. That portion of the hanger members havingthe slot formed therein is preferably disposed at an angle with respectto the beam when the plate is in position, thereby facilitatingprojection of the clips 42 through the slots 43 in the hanger members.The plates are attached by causing the clips 42 to project through theslot 43 in the hanger members whereupon the ends of the clips are bentinward to secure positively the members engaged thereby. It will beapparent that the attaching operation with the modified form ofanchoring means still embodies a lateral movement for uniting the endedges to form the end joint and a movement in the plane of the plate foruniting the side edges.

From the foregoing description it is apparent that the plates of thestructure are quickly and easily attached to the framework by anoperation wherein the plates are given a movement permitting the edgesof the plates, designed with reference to such movement, to be united toform tight joints.

Where the structure is to be employed as a new covering for an oldbuilding, the I-beams are best replaced by metal strips secured to theold building in any suitable manner. The plate construction and theanchoring means remain the same as described for the new construction.

We claim as our invention:

1. As an element in a wall structure for a metallic building, asubstantially rectangular plate having an inwardly projecting flangealong one end edge forming a tongue, an outwardly opening groove alongthe other end edge adapted to receive the tongue of an adjacent plate,the lower side edge of the plate being bent upon itself forming a head'and reversely bent forming a groove opening in the plane of the edge ofthe plate, and the upper side edge offset inwardly to form a tongueadapted to be received in the groove of the lower side edge of anadjacent plate.

2. As an element in a side wall structure for a metallic building, asubstantially rectangular plate having corrugated flanges along itshorizontal edges projecting inwardly and upwardly, the upper and lowerof said flanges being conversely corrugated to interfit when two platesare placed adjacent, an inwardly projecting flange on one end edgeforming a tongue, and an outwardly opening groove at the other end edgeadapted to receive the tongue of an adjacent reversely bent therebyforming a groove, said tongue and said reversely bent portion beingdrawn out intermediate the ends of the plate into the contour of the endjoint to enable the plates to be attached in staggered relationship.

4. In a wall structure for a metallic building a plurality ofsubstantially rectangular plates at-' tached in staggered relationship,said plates having an inwardly projecting flange at one end edge, anoutwardly opening groove at theother end edge and adapted to receive theflange of an adjacent plate, the upper side edge having an offsetextending over the entire length of the plate and forming a tongue, andthe lower side edge being first bent upon itself and then reversely bentto form a groove opening in the edge of the plate and adapted to receivethe tongue of an adjacent plate, said reversely bent portion terminatingshort of the flange and groove of the end edges and being drawn outintermediate the ends of the plate to enable the groove opening in theside edge to receive the end joint, said tongue being likewise drawn outto prevent interference with the end joint when the tongue is insertedin the side edge groove of adjacent plates.

5. An element for the wall structure of a building comprising asubstantially rectangular metallic plate having one end edge bent toform a tongue extending transversely inward from the face of the plateand the other end edge bent to provide an outwardly opening grooveadapted to receive the tongue of an adjacent plate, one side edge beingbent inwardly to provide a groove opening parallel to the plane of theplate and toward the adjacent plate and the other side edge being bentinwardly and parallel to the plane of the plate to provide a tongueadapted to enter the groove in the side edge of the adjacent plate.

6. In a wall structure for buildings, a plurality of substantiallyrectangular metallic plates having their end edges bent inwardly fromthe face of the plates to provide an interfitting tongue and grooveconstruction shaped to be brought into interfitting relation by arelative movement between the plates perpendicular to the face thereofbut permitting relative movement of the plates parallel to the facethereof when engaged,

and having their side edges bent inwardly from the face of the plates toprovide an interfitting tongue and groove construction shaped to bebrought into interfitting relation by a movement of one plate parallelto the face thereof and toward the adjacent plate.

'7. In a wall structure for buildings, a plurality of metallic plateshaving their end edges bent inwardly from the face of the plates toprovide an interfitting tongue and groove construction shaped to bebrought into interfitting relation by a relative movement between theplates perpendicular to the face thereof and permitting relativemovement of the plates parallel to the face thereof when engaged, andhaving their side edges bent inwardly from the face of the plates andshaped to be brought into interfitting relation by a movement of oneplate parallel to the face thereof and toward the adjacent plate.

8. An element for the wall structure of a building comprising a metallicplate having its horizontal edges shaped to be brought into interfittingengagement with adjacent plates by movement parallel to the face of theplate, and having its end edges bent inwardly to provide a tongue on oneend edge and a groove and the other end edge shaped to be brought intointerfitting engagement with adjacent plates by movement perpendicularto the face of the plate, said end edges also being shaped to provideportions overlapping complementary portions on adjacent plates anddisposed parallel to the face of the plate to assist the tongue andgroove structure in effecting a weather-tight joint.

9. An element for a building wall structure comprising a metallic platehaving end edges shaped to interfit with the end edges of adjacentplates in a weather-tight manner and to be brought into interfittingrelation by a movement perpendicular to the face of the plate, the loweredge being bent upon itself and then reversely bent to provide a grooveunder the plate opening downwardly substantially parallel to the facethereof, and the upper edge being offset inwardly to form a tongueextending parallel to and beyond the face area of the plate and adaptedto enter the groove in an adjacent plate.

CHARLES B. STEWART. EWALD E. JOHNSON.

